LIVE from New Orleans, as Falcons go for the upset
If John Abraham is doing this to Drew Brees, the Falcons have a chance against New Orleans. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
NEW ORLEANS –Good morning. I’m looking forward to actually watching some football today since I really didn’t see any last night in Starkville.
The good news for the Falcons is that no matter what happens in today’s game against the New Orleans Saints — and I do believe they have a legitimate chance to win — they will be fine this season. That’s not the case at Georgia, which not only lost last night at Mississippi State but had yet another player — freshman linebacker Demetre Baker — arrested this morning for underage possession of alcohol and DUI. That makes 10 arrests for the Bulldogs since the spring to pair with a 0-3 record in the SEC.
By comparison, the Falcons are Camelot.
There obviously were some good signs in last week’s 41-7 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The Falcons ran the ball effectively, with Jason Snelling having a breakout game (three touchdowns) after Michael Turner left with a groin strain. Quarterback Matt Ryan also was sharp.
But the Saints are at another level. Ryan will face a stronger pass rush and play in a tougher environment in the Superdome than last week.
The biggest step up today must come from the defense. In the first two games, the Falcons faced a third-string quarterback in Pittsburgh (Dennis Dixon) and a last-resort starter against Arizona (Derek Anderson). Today, the opposing quarterback is the MVP of the Super Bowl, Drew Brees.
The New Orleans offense has not been as explosive as a year ago. The Saints have won their first two games by scores of 14-9 and 25-22. But Brees has completed 74.3 percent of his passes (55 of 74) for 491 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. It’s imperative the Falcons get pressure on him, and that starts with John Abraham.
The lone starters out for the Falcons are wide receiver Michael Jenkins and safety Erik Coleman.
That’s it for now. I’ll check back shortly. How do you feel about the Falcons’ chances today?
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,596 comments Add your comment
DHunt
September 26th, 2010
2:41 pm
Get some John A!
ATLJim31
September 26th, 2010
2:41 pm
it takes us an entire quarter to go 70 yds and score a TD.
Takes the Saints a handful of plays and sometimes less than that.
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
2:41 pm
that is what I am talking about.
Scooter
September 26th, 2010
2:41 pm
And we have an Abraham sighting!! Are we going to see a Yeti in the superdome next?
bigdave
September 26th, 2010
2:42 pm
get off field!
CEEDEZ
September 26th, 2010
2:43 pm
Look like bulldawgs wit that piss poor tackling!!!
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
2:43 pm
How the F did we just let that happen? They made that look too easy.
willy
September 26th, 2010
2:43 pm
BIG PLAY COMIN’
DHunt
September 26th, 2010
2:43 pm
I can’t believe they let that man get that close to a first down. Damn Damn Damn! But let’s ftop them on 4th down and change the game right here
willy
September 26th, 2010
2:44 pm
If we stop them, give some credit to Atlanta’s offense for making them go for it in the first place
ATLJim31
September 26th, 2010
2:44 pm
YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME WITH THAT HORRIBLE EFFORT ON 3RD & 16!!!!
THAT IS HOW YOU LOSE BIG GAMES.
THE PLAYERS QUIT ON THAT PLAY!!!!
M(*((&*&(*ujkjgh*&typ)y_)i F(*^*&^*&_)*&^)(*_)!!!
Ramguy
September 26th, 2010
2:44 pm
Saints made a good play…..great individual effort.
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
2:45 pm
Braves w/ runners at 2nd and 3rd, 1 out. Whatta gift.
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2010
2:45 pm
Fumble!
Mike
September 26th, 2010
2:45 pm
That stop was pathetic. this team has got to tackle better. Wrap guys up and take them down.
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
2:45 pm
Falcons fan just expect the birds to find away to let the other team win. STOP
willy
September 26th, 2010
2:45 pm
Turnover #3!
bigdave
September 26th, 2010
2:45 pm
yes siiiiiir!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
2:45 pm
HUGE T.O.
Mike
September 26th, 2010
2:46 pm
YES! ATL BALL!
45ACP
September 26th, 2010
2:46 pm
Awesome – fumble!
Ramguy
September 26th, 2010
2:46 pm
Fumble!
DHunt
September 26th, 2010
2:46 pm
OH HELL YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
willy
September 26th, 2010
2:46 pm
They were asking if the runner was down? Hell, he was in the air!
bigdave
September 26th, 2010
2:46 pm
go ahead and challenge..
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
2:46 pm
WHAT a play. I just knew we were going to give the Saints a big play, but instead the Birds with a BIG PLAY.
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2010
2:46 pm
Initial hit by Peterson. Looks like a fumble on replay.
FALCONS!
September 26th, 2010
2:46 pm
Falcon’s Ball!
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
2:47 pm
Burn a Timeout on a challange please Saints.
willy
September 26th, 2010
2:48 pm
You guys want to give me grief? Check 5150 POADs comments – no, but you’re hating on me. Ridiculous
New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons, in-game blog – NOLA.com | Who Dat Nation
September 26th, 2010
2:48 pm
[...] Atlanta Falcons in-game updates. G. Andrew Boyd/The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Saints tight …LIVE from New Orleans, as Falcons go for the upsetAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints NFL Regular Season 2010NFL [...]
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
2:48 pm
Braves fail to score.
bgfalcon
September 26th, 2010
2:48 pm
5150 POAD i thought you were gonna sleep through this game lol
FrontRow
September 26th, 2010
2:48 pm
Why are the refs given NO a free timeout?
Challenge?
September 26th, 2010
2:49 pm
Challenge?
Payton must be having “pharmaceutical issues” with his coaches again.
Mike
September 26th, 2010
2:49 pm
That was bad
O'Brien
September 26th, 2010
2:49 pm
We need some points. We are up +3 in turnover margin, with nothing to show for it.
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2010
2:49 pm
Once again, nice job by Ryan to buy himself some time by rolling right away from rush.,
O'Brien
September 26th, 2010
2:50 pm
Where would we be without Tony Gonzales?
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
2:50 pm
BG who would have thought this game would be better than the Braves.
willy
September 26th, 2010
2:50 pm
Hey! That Mexican guy is pretty good!
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 26th, 2010
2:50 pm
I really wish Ryan had a natural pump fake.
bigdave
September 26th, 2010
2:50 pm
tack on 15 for the face mask..
mmgtfan
September 26th, 2010
2:51 pm
Once again……..SNELLING!!!!!!
Dan Mullen
September 26th, 2010
2:51 pm
Washun Ealey plays for the falcons
mmgtfan
September 26th, 2010
2:51 pm
nevermind
bigdave
September 26th, 2010
2:51 pm
yes sir.. there u go keep feeding him.
willy
September 26th, 2010
2:52 pm
Oh yeah, and Turner sucks, right?
45ACP
September 26th, 2010
2:52 pm
The Burner, nice run.
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
2:52 pm
Finally he bust one for a HUGE run right there.